User blog:Lathagarr Stormgale of Tronn/Ferret's Tale

Prologue
coming soon...

Chapter One
The midsummer sun had reached its zenith over the southern shores where the camp of High Captain Rilam, twin brother to the ferret Fergu Warlord, had made their camp. There ships lay, smashed on the coastline, as his troops tried vainly to fix the shattered remnants of their once-great fleet. At one campfire two ferrets, a male and a female, were sitting talking in low tones.
 * "I wonder what's takin' Darkeyes so long, she shoulda been back long afore now," said the male.
 * "You've got a point there, Barktooth. Well, she should be back any minute now, I just 'ope she hasn't been caught."
 * "Aw, Jade, Darkeyes wouldn't let 'erself get caught, she's too smart fer that," said Barktooth, but there was a hesitancy in his voice.

Just then another ferret slipped in beside him, she was sleek and unusually dark-furred with eyes as black as jet.
 * She smiled and spoke to the other two as she sat down, "Nay, I didn't get caught this time.":Jade leaned over, "But did yer get wot ye were goin' ter get?":A triumphant smile passed over her features, "I shore did," she whispered, "An' it was even better than I thought.":Barktooth kept his voice low as the fox-sentry, Bluddbrush passed, "So is Cap'n Rilam goin' ter pay ye this time, or are ye gonna 'ave ter make 'im?":Darkeyes smiled knowingly, "Oh 'e'll pay fer sure. But this's a dangerous business so I'll need ye both t' be ready ter come wit me when th' time comes. 'Cause once Rilam's payed me ye can be sure he'll want 'is pament back, so I'm makin' plans t' get outta 'ere once I've got me pay. Right now he'll do wotever I ask 'cause 'e's frightfully afeared th' Dark One.":Jade put a paw to the side of her mouth, "Stow th' gab, mates. I see Cap'n Gryllim headin' our way.A tall dark silver fox dressed in dark green uniform, heading a column of rats in the same uniform, strode past and stopped in front of the tent of High Captain Rilam. The guards outside Rilam's tent, two rat brothers, Gunja and Zunja barred the way with their spears.:The taller of the two, Zunja growled, "State yer business!":Gryllim brushed him aside with his halberd, "I report only to the Captain himself, so move if you value your life!"The two rats stood to the side as Rilam threw aside the tent flaps. He was a ferret of fine physique, lean and sinewy. Taller than most ferrets, he stood an imposing head and a half taller than the fox.:"You wish to speak with me? Make your report, Captain!"Gryllim saluted and launched into his report.:"We were scouting down by the coastline when we noticed something red floating in the shallows. When we went to investigate we found that it was one of your other captains, the weasel, Captain Triclaw. He was badly wounded. There was a gash running down his side that looked like it came from huge claws. As we scouted around, we found more of Triclaw's troops, though none were still alive. They all had the same clawmarks across their bodies. Captain Triclaw was still alive when we found him but he couldn't seem to remember what had happened to them. All he kept saying was, 'The Curse! The Curse!' over and over. By the time we got a stretcher made, he was gone. It was 'orrible!"Rilam stroked his chin with a paw. It was unusual for the fox captain to lose his cool, so what had happened must have been bad to have shaken him, and he was clearly shaken. Rilam shuddered to think of the size of beast that would make clawmarks as huge as Captain Gryllim described. He turned so that he stood in front of his horde, paws akimbo.:"Whatever this beast is I do not know, but I warn you to be on your guard and stay close to camp for a few days. Who knows? It may just pass us by. But still, be warned. Captain Triclaw was a good officer and I can't afford to lose more troops needlessly."There was an uneasiness among the vermin standing before him, and they shifted restlessly on their paws.